Head coach of Ghana’s U-15 national team, Yaw Preko, has expressed pride and fulfillment following his team’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv in the final of the 2025 Mondialito Promise Tournament.
The young Ghanaian side impressed throughout the competition, recording earlier wins over Maccabi Petah Tikva and Hapoel Tel Aviv in the group stages before defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv once more in the final. Goals from Robinho Gavi, James Ofori, Ebenezer Adjei, and Abdulai Aziz Issah sealed the trophy, with Maccabi managing only a late consolation.
Speaking to Sporty FM, Preko shared the emotional significance of the win, especially from a developmental perspective.
“I’m a developer, and I’ve been through these stages as a player. To see the excitement on the faces of the boys took me back to the ’80s, when we were their age. It’s fulfilling for me as a manager. It shows that I’m doing something positive. We just need to keep working hard, and when the opportunity arises again, we have to make sure we deliver,” he said.
Beyond the victory, Preko highlighted an important learning point from the tournament—the intensity and tactical discipline of opposing teams.
“The energy of the boys from other teams was different from ours. Their counter-pressing and intensity stood out. We focus on individual technique and teamwork, but we learned a lot from their fighting spirit,” he explained.
Ghana’s U-15 side will now look to build on this momentum, taking the lessons from Israel back home as they continue their journey in youth development under Preko’s guidance.
